MK Dons made a winning start to their Checkatrade Trophy campaign as they ran out 6-5 penalty winners at Stadium MK after a 3-3 draw in normal time.
Chuks Aneke opened his account for the season as the striker netted a first-half brace, while Rhys Healey also netted his first goal in a Dons shirt.
Second-half goals from George Cooper, Tyler Denton and Matt Godden, however, forced the tie to penalties.
Stuart Moore was the hero on the night as he saved Jamie Walker's penalty before Sam Nombe tucked away from the spot to secure the two-point win via penalties.
Paul Tisdale made nine changes nine changes to the starting XI that drew 1-1 with Swindon Town the previous Saturday with Callum Brittain and Baily Cargill retaining their places from the clash with the Robins.
Academy graduates, Oran Jackson and Finn Tapp partnered the aforementioned Cargill in defence, while David Kasumu lined up in midfield alongside Ousseynou Cisse.
Ryan Watson, Mitch Hancox and Rhys Healey were all handed starts against the Posh, while Chuks Aneke started for the first time this season.
The first chance of the game fell the way of Tisdale’s men as Ryan Watson fired over from 20-yards out with two minutes on the clock.
Almost immediately after, however, Stuart Moore was forced into action for the first time as he saved at his near post to deny Marcus Maddison before he saw Louis Reed’s long-range effort sail comfortably over his crossbar.
The game continued its end-to-end flow with the returning Aneke next to go close. He was found unmarked in the box after a superb run from Brittain – Aneke’s driven effort was then saved by Conor O’Malley in the Peterborough net. 1-0.
Aneke didn’t have to wait long to make his mark on the Checkatrade clash as he opened the scoring five minutes in. His goal came as a result of some fantastic work by Watson, the midfielder jinxed past two Peterborough defenders before picking out the forward with a wonderful cross – Aneke duly obliged and headed home for his first goal of the season.
Watson then looked to turn provider once more, as he drove the Dons forward before finding Healey in the box. With the striker under pressure, the cut onto his right foot before forcing O’Malley into a smart save at his near post,
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts then sprung life into the Posh attack, his low delivery was claimed at the front post by Moore.
The chances continued to fall for both sides with Kasumu the man who looked to double the Dons advantage. It was a clever move from the home side to create the chance as Cargill and Watson interchanged on the edge of the Peterborough box before Kasumu’s shot was deflected narrowly wide. From the resulting corner, Jackson headed just over from Hancox’s cross.
Toney had his first chance of the game 20-minutes into the game, his volley was hammered into the ground before bouncing over Moore’s goal before seconds later Moore denied the striker with a wonderful save at his near post.
33-minutes into the game, Tisdale’s side had their second of the game – and it was once again created by Watson. His excellent free-kick was met by the head of Healey who powered home on the diving header for his first Dons goal. 2-0.
Minutes before half-time, the Dons lead was extended to three as Aneke grabbed his second goal of the night. Hancox delivered a low cross towards Healey whose dummy created space for Aneke on the edge of the box. The striker shifted onto his left before curling past O’Malley. 3-0.
Steve Evans’ half-time team talk certainly breathed life into his side as his side had a handful of chances following the break.
Firstly, Tyler Denton combined well with Toney before his header ended with of Moore’s goal, before Reed saw his powerful effort saved by Moore.
After a number of half chances, their pressure was eventually rewarded 10-minutes into the second half. Referee Brett Huxtable awarded Posh a free-kick 25-yards from goal - stepping up to the plate was George Cooper. His curling free-kick found the top right-hand corner leaving Moore with no chance and reducing the deficit. 3-1.
The energetic Watson almost got a deserved goal on the hour mark as the Dons patient build up play almost paid dividends. After a spell of possession pm the edge of Peterborough’s box, Watson’s deft flick from Hancox’s cross ended narrowly over the bar.
Watson was once again involved two minutes later and was unlucky not to find the back of the net. Cisse found Aneke who had his back to goal, he touched into the path of Watson who curled wide from the 25-yards out.
Substitute Walker then struck the inside of the post from distance before the ball rolled agonisingly across the line before being collected by Moore.
Aneke should have put the game to bed and score his hat-trick. It was terrific football from Tisdale’s men to create the chance as Kasumu and Aneke passed their way through lines before the midfielder’s delicate pass threaded Aneke in on goal. With O’Malley going to ground, Aneke attempted the chip – but put it just wide.
With ten minutes remaining, O'Malley made an acrobatic save to deny Healey his second goal of the game - the striker's curling free-kick was pushed away by the Posh shot-stopper.
Denton's late goal made it a nervy finish at Stadium MK as the Peterborough man found an inch of space inside the Dons box before drilling past Moore. 3-2.
The momentum was certainly with the away side as they then went on to grab their third goal of the game and force the tie to penalties - Godden tapping home from Toney's cross. 3-3.
PENALTIES:
Ivan Toney - SCORED: 0-1.
Ouss Cisse - SCORED: 1-1.
Marcus Maddison - SCORED: 1-2
Ryan Watson - SCORED: 2-2
Matt Godden - SCORED: 2-3
Callum Brittain - SCORED: 3-3
George Cooper - SCORED: 3-4
Rhys Healey - SCORED 4-4
Jamie Walker - SCORED: 4-5
Baily Cargill - SCORED 5-5
Alex Woodyard - SAVED 5-5
Sam Nombe - SCORED - 6-5
Starting XI: Moore, Brittain, Tapp (Pattison, 81), Jackson, Cargill, Hancox; Kasumu (Nesbitt, 81), Watson, Cisse; Aneke (Nombe, 71), Healey.
Unused subs: Sietsma, Thomas-Asante, Sole, Asonganyi.
Goal: Aneke (5), Healey (33), Aneke (45+2)
Booked: Kasumu, Jackson.
Attendance: 2,404.
Referee: B Huxtable
